Congratulations! You made it! You survived and excelled in your student teaching. You are now a science teacher! If you would, take a few minutes to share your wisdom about how to negotiate this difficult year with the students who are following in your footsteps by answering the following questions.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
In the fall, spend as much time in the classroom as you can. Don't worry about simply meeting your required amount of hours; go BEYOND them. This is especially true if you are completing Middle School Endorsement because your time in each place will feel so short. Being in the classroom so much will allow you to connect with your CT and your students earlier on, which makes teaching them go much more smoothly when the pressure is actually on.
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
As much as possible, students should try to get a feel for what it is that they'll be teaching in the spring, and make sure they really know the content. You don't want to waste time learning that content in the spring when you should instead concentrate on the best way to teach it.
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have been better prepared for student teaching if I had ...."
If I had a better idea of the extracurricular activities students did at school, I feel as though I could have made even deeper connections with my students. I felt like my greatest strength as a student teacher was fostering deep personal connections with the students I taught. The more I got to know them, the better they seemed to commit to the activities and other things I would present to them in class. I would have liked to have been more involved in extracurricular activities at my middle school placement in particular.
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
Do whatever you can to make connections with your students. This was my greatest strength as a student teacher. Find out their interests, ask them questions, and learn their names as fast as you possibly can. Get them to fill out index cards with their name, nicknames, and three interesting things about them. Leave space on their tests where they can doodle if they finish early. Get involved in extracurricular activities, especially in areas you have skill or interest in too. Play a quick name game with them at the start of your first few classes - it shows them you know their names, and if you don't they'll have a good time raking you over the coals for it (have a thick skin about it!) Come up with projects that allow them to put their personal stamp on things. Come up with amusing nicknames for them if you think they'll find the nickname amusing too. You will be floored at how much more they'll be ready to commit to you in the classroom.
e. Make sure Dr. Fogleman teaches you to...
Come up with teacher evaluation assignments (like the mini-SLO) in the fall rather than the spring, where there is more time to set up assignments and complete them.
Correspond with concerned parents via email.
Teach and emphasize the importance and boons of making connections with students.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have been better prepared for student teaching if I had ...."
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
e. Make sure Dr. Fogleman teaches you to...